78 



It will be seen from the above that 1870 is 'the driest year for twenty 

 years as regards six consecutive months — although 1864 is very similar. For 

 four consecutive months 1864 is about the same. For three, 1868, 1869, 1870, 

 are equally dry, and for two summer months 1868 is unequalled. September 

 1865 being the driest month during the 19 years. It will be also gathered 

 from the records quoted that drought has been by no means uncommon in 

 England, and it is satisfactory to notice that on the whole it is not injurious to 

 our corn harvests. 



It may also be remarked that for the last four years the month of June has 

 had only one-fourth of its usual rainfall. July has been likewise greatly deficient 

 since 1S62— except 1867 — so that it is fair to conclude that wetter summers 

 may be in store for us than those we have had lately. 



RECORDS OF GREAT COLD. 



FROSTS, &c. 

 A.D. 220 — A frost in England lasting five months. 



230 or 250, and 095 — Thames frozen over for six weeks. 

 291 329 — Most English rivers frozen over for six weeks. 

 359 — Fourteen weeks' severe frost in Scotland. 



508 — All the rivers in Britain were frozen up for above two months. 

 759 — A great frost in England from October 1, 759, to February 26, 760. 

 827 — Great frost for nine weeks. 

 87-1 — Snow from November to the end of March. 

 908 — Most English rivers frozen for two months. 

 923 — Thames frozen for thirteen weeks. 

 987 — Frost began December 22nd, and lasted 120 days. 

 991-998 — Both severe winters. 

 1035 — Frost on June 24th, destroying corn and fruit. 

 10G3 — Thames frozen over for 13 or 14 weeks. 

 1075-1076 — "Severe from November to April." — Saxon Annals. 

 1093 — Mills and bridges carried away when the ice thawed. 

 1114 — Same thing happened. 

 1125 — Very severe. 



1205— Frost from January I4th to March 22nd. 



1281 — " Thames frozen over. Five arches of London bridge carried 

 away." — Stow. 



1407 — Frost in England, with deep snow, for fifteen weeks. This year 

 the sea was frozen between Norway and Denmark. In France the vineyards 

 and orchards were destroyed, and the Danube was frozen over. 



1432-3-4 — Uncommonly severe winters in England and Europe. Wheat 

 rose to 27s. per quarter from about 5s. The river Thames was frozen from 

 below London Bridge to Gravesend from November 4th, 1433, to February 16th, 

 1434. 



1506 — Thames bore carriages throughout January. 



